RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre

Anyone interested in aviation or military history will be in high spirits at the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre near Ipswich. Housed in hangars at the RAAF base at Amberley, Australia’s largest operating airbase, the centre has plenty of displays that showcase the history of the RAAF and its crucial role to the country and local community.

How’s this for starters? You can walk around and get up close to a WWII Boston Bomber, Vietnam-era Canberra bomber, Caribou airlifter, Sioux and Iroquois helicopters, and WWII Jeeps. There are also Sabre and Mirage fighter jets, and perhaps most exciting, you can sit in the cockpit of an F-111.

The museum focuses on the RAAF’s important role in South-East Queensland in both war and peace times, with exhibits of medals, armaments, aircraft modules and engines, and more. Reservists and volunteers act as friendly guides so you can feel free to ask them anything. There’s a small café plus souvenir and gift shop selling model planes, DVDs, books and clothing.

The centre is open only every third Sunday of the month. For school and Community groups, by prior arrangement, the centre is open Tuesday and Thursday between 9am and 3pm. Donations welcome.